Hoops!

It was a rare occasion that a Madison basketball team, East H.S., was in town to play a game at Tech. They happened to be playing one of Minnesota's best teams which made it appealing to even me, a less than enthusiastic fan of basketball. (It's the squeaky shoe noise that really bugs me...) So, Mia, Allison, the Wonder Pets and I hopped into the car and headed over to catch at least the second half. The game was a bit of a blow out, but the girls loved their ring pops and each other's company as they marveled at the big tall jumpers on the court!

Mia and Allison... 3.5!

January 26th marked the girls' half birthday. I had told the girls that their half birthday was coming up and Allison replied, "No! I don't want to get cut (in half)!" Needless to say we took some time to explain the concept. Speaking as a person who has a summer birthday and never got to celebrate in school, I was so excited that Mia and Allison were invited to mark their half birthday with their preschool class. So, after the Festival of Lights we made picture posters and researched peanut free snacks!

I had already been a little emotional seeing the 1lb 9oz pictures side by side with the older more healthy looking pictures. Then, the morning continued to be emotional when, while I was taking the pictures above, one of their NICU doctors was coming in with his son. I pointed to the pictures and explained to the girls that this man had cared for them when they were so tiny. They looked at him and smiled and it made me wonder how much older they'll be before they truly understand how far they've come!Both girls completed the birthday rite of passage by carrying the globe for 3 1/2 laps around the sun. They got to be Ms. Char's assistants during line time, mark the calendar, and shared popcorn and juice boxes with their classmates.

Shawn and I had to be at work, but Ms. Char took pictures so we could feel a part of their big day. She also captured this picture of the girls doing their 'silence', quiet meditation moment, during their line time. Though only for a very brief period of time, it looks so peaceful we may start implementing this practice at home!

Let the Festival of Lights begin!!!

The video presents a couple of our favorite snippets of the big celebration. I got a bit choked up when the girls processed out to Canon in D. I figured it'd be at least 20 more years before I saw them walk down an aisle to the song! Alli was a little reluctant to perform in front of the crowd of mommies and daddies but did her best when the stage fright allowed it! Bless Mia's heart, she had the highest pitched voice and is always just a hair off pace with the rest of the group. Her enthusiasm on the "I'm a nut" song left us in stitches.

Another favorite moment was when Mia stood up and called to me, announcing to the room that she had to go potty.

Many thanks to Ms. Char and Ms. Agnes for planning, preparing, and presenting such a fun event! The girls were so excited!!! Thanks, too, to Monica for witnessing the fun with us!

Christmas in Wisconsin

Mia and Allison were thrilled to find evidence of Santa in Wisconsin (see hats above), but were even more excited about being able to share the holiday with cousins Bryn and Henry, Uncle Jay and Auntie Sarah, and of course Grandma and Grandpa! The girls had a blast sledding, playing and snuggling with their cousins, baking cookies, listening to Grandma play her new piano, and reading stories. Mia was demonstrating the Minnesota Christmas spaghetti tradition to Grandpa. Thank you to Grandma and Grandpa for hosting the whole gang, Rudy included! As always, it was a fun and memorable Christmas at the cabin!!!

The messy face tradition...

A spaghetti sauce toast to Grandpa Ken for his birthday on Christmas Eve! This

tradition is so delicious I don't think any of us plan to give it up any time soon! This year Grandpa Ken and Monica hosted us all for Christmas Eve. (A bit unbelievable that Grandpa would volunteer to do all the work of hosting on his own birthday, but we were pretty thrilled he did.) Uncle Chris and Aunties Katie and Amy were there to join in on the festivities, include gift opening and childhood slide show watching. Mia and Allison were pretty amazed to see the pictures of 'little daddy'!

I had to take a picture of the stockings that were kind of a Christmas miracle. I tend to struggle with project completion, but managed to have one stocking per child completed by 1:30am of Christmas Eve. Phew!!!

Pre-Christmas Crazies!

The day's leading up to Christmas were pretty exciting for all of us. Mia and Allison passed the days reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and, if they were really good, watching parts of our favorite Christmas videos. To work off nervous Santa energy, they danced, wrestled, sang Jingle Bells and other songs at full volume, and played school bus in the clothes basket.

Shawn and I passed the time with all of the fun business of Christmas; shopping, writing cards, baking, and decorating, all the while trying to keep the house clean and keep our heads above water at work. It's crazy how the BEST time of year is also one of the busiest! It helps to have the energy of two three-year-olds spurring us along!

Our little (snow) angels!

The girls' teacher, Ms. Agnes, took these pictures for us as a Christmas gift from the girls! While we hope she really thinks Mia and Allison are little angels, we have our suspicions that there are days that that may just be wishful thinking!